My Name Is MUFC: The Superfan Who Struggled to Change His Name
Pose the question to any Man United supporter of a certain age concerning the importance of 26 May 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion was life-altering. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an incredible late turnaround in the showpiece event against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. It was also, the existence of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who has died at the age of 62, took a new direction.
A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria
That supporter was given the name Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a tight-knit community. Being raised in a socialist state with a passion for football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. But, to adopt the name of a sports team from the capitalist west was an unattainable goal. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.
A Vow Made Under Pressure
Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to achievement. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin vowed to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would do anything to become known as that of the club he loved. Then, against all odds, it transpired.
A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.
A Protracted Court Struggle
A day later, Marin consulted an attorney to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was living with his mother, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He quickly turned into the local celebrity, then became an international sensation, but 15 years full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.
Trademark Issues and Limited Success
His request was rejected initially for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a local judge allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to Manchester but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his official surname. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in the UK, I want to carry the title of my cherished club,” Marin told the court. The struggle continued.
His Beloved Cats
Outside of legal proceedings, he was often tending to his pets. He had a large number in his garden in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He named them all after club legends: such as Vidic and others, they were the best-known felines in town. Which was the favourite cat of Man U? The feline known as Beckham.
He was often seen in full club regalia.
Advances and Ethics
Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add United as an recognized alias on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “I won’t stop until my complete identity is the club's title,” he declared. His tale attracted business offers – a chance to have supporters' goods branded with his legal name – but even with his monetary challenges, he declined the proposal because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The Manchester United name was inviolable.
Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts
His story was captured in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the forward on the team's roster at the time.
Permanently marked the club badge on his forehead at a later date as a objection to the legal rulings and in his closing chapter it became more and more difficult for him to persist with his fight. Job opportunities were scarce and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But he managed to continue. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised in an orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he would frequently remark.
On a recent Monday, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s persistent fan could achieve eternal tranquility.
